Fastening element for hygiene articles and endless tape for the production of said element

ABSTRACT

A fastening element for hygiene articles. The fastening element presents a first longitudinal direction and a second transverse direction in the form of a longitudinal section. The fastening element includes mechanically adhering clip elements, a first section corresponding to a first support layer and a second section corresponding to a second support layer. The first section contains a first zone by which the fastening elements are attached to the hygiene article. The second section contains a second zone arranged outside of the first section in the transverse direction in which the clip elements are provided. The element is folded in a zigzag manner along longitudinal folding lines and the second zone with the mechanically adhering clip elements lies outside of the zigzag folded configuration in the transverse direction.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a fastening element for hygiene articles,particularly for diapers or for incontinence articles, for releaseableclosing the article when worn by a user, where the fastening element hasa first longitudinal direction and a second transverse direction and hasbeen severed from a continuous web in the form of a longitudinalsection. The fastening element is configured with mechanically actingclosures, having a first section of a first supporting layer and asecond section of a second supporting layer which is disposed in atransverse direction next to the first section and is attached thereto,and where the first section has a first zone with which the fasteningelement can be attached to the hygiene article, and where the secondsection has a second zone disposed in the transverse direction outsidethe first section and in which the mechanically acting closures arefurnished, and where the fastening element is folded in the longitudinaldirection.

Such a fastening element is known, for example, from WO 95/16425 andfrom EP 0 669 121 A1.

Moreover, non-generic fastening elements with adhesive closures areknown from U.S. Pat. No. 4,237,890, which elements however possess theremaining aforementioned generic features and are folded in a “Z” shape.The folding is carried out in such a way that adhesively configuredzones end up on top of each other.

With the various aforementioned known fastening elements as the point ofdeparture, the object of the present invention is to improve fasteningelements of the generic type with regard to the following aspects.

When fastening elements are attached to hygiene articles during theproduction of the hygiene articles, the problem always arises of keepingthe fastening elements in the assembled position, particularly when thehygiene article is folded in an often complex manner following theattachment and packaged. During the subsequent handling duringproduction of the hygiene article, there is often a problem with thefastening elements becoming detached or unfolding. The intention of thepresent invention is to bring about improvement in this regard.

Furthermore, the manageability of the fastening elements, both beforeand during attachment to a hygiene article, and the ease of affixationitself is to be simplified, keeping the available volume that aplurality of fastening elements occupies as small as possible.

SUMMARY

A generic fastening element under the present invention is provided byfolding the fastening element in a Z-shape, with fold lines running inthe longitudinal direction, and locating the second zone with themechanically acting closures in the transverse direction outside thefolded, Z-shaped configuration.

The invention thus proposes to create a Z-shaped fold of this kind andto furnish the mechanically acting closures in a second section of thesecond supporting layer so that they end up outside the folded, Z-shapedconfiguration. This has various advantages during the manufacture of thefastening elements themselves and during the handling and attachment ofthe fastening elements to hygiene articles: Because the mechanicallyacting closures, which are usually formed by one component of ahook-and-loop material, end up outside the folded, Z-shapedconfiguration, there is no risk that unfolding the fastening elementswhen used as intended in a hygiene article will be hampered by thefastening elements becoming entangled in the Z-shaped fold. A furtherconsiderable advantage can also be seen in the fact that themechanically acting closures no longer obtrusively stack upperpendicular to the plane of the web, but can be configured such thatthe thickness of the second section of the fastening elements in thearea of the closures is no greater than in the area of the folded,Z-shaped configuration. Furthermore, this opens up the possibility thatthe mechanically acting closures, with the fastening elements attachedto the hygiene article, coact adhesively with one surface of the hygienearticle such that it prevents the fastening elements from becomingdetached. If the mechanically acting closures of the fastening elementsare configured, for example, as the hook component of a hook-and-loopmaterial, the hooks can coact adhesively with a textile outer coveringof a fluid-impervious outer layer or with a textile component of aninside of the hygiene article.

In a further aspect of the invention, it proves advantageous if a foldline running in the longitudinal direction runs at least in sectionsalong a material transition between the first and the second section. Ifa material transition was mentioned previously, this can be understoodto mean, for example, an overlap area between the first and the secondsupporting layer. It would also be conceivable for the first and secondsupporting layers to butt or to be disposed at a relatively smalldistance from each other and be joined together by means of a third,specifically strip-shaped, connecting element. In this case, the foldline could run along a material transition between the first or secondsection and this connecting element. In each instance, ease of foldingis thereby simplified and the accumulated thickness in the area of thefolded, Z-shaped configuration is kept as small as possible.Advantageously the fold line runs immediately along a longitudinal edgeof the second section. This proves particularly advantageous,specifically when the first and the second section (prior to folding)are overlapped in the transverse direction and are joined in the overlaparea in any manner chosen. The joining processes in question are weldingprocesses or adhering procedures in the broadest sense which effect ajoint between the materials with or without inclusion of an additionaljoining material.

Furthermore, to create the Z-shaped fold it is proposed that anadditional longitudinal fold line run immediately along a longitudinaledge of the first zone with which the first section of the fasteningelement is joined to a hygiene article. This zone is advantageouslyformed by an adhesive coating, either a permanent adhesive orpressure-sensitive adhesive, which is applied perpendicular to the planeof the web. It thus proves advantageous if the additional fold line, atleast in sections, runs along a longitudinal edge of this second zone.

It further proves advantageous if the second supporting layer comprisesan essentially inelastic material and is essentially not extensible inthe transverse direction. For example, the second supporting layer couldbe made from a thermoplastic material and/or a nonwoven which isspecifically and preferably thermally bonded, for example, has a weld orembossed pattern formed from discrete spots of glue. It can also be alayer of plastic film which is preferably essentially non-extensible atleast in the transverse direction.

The first supporting layer forming the first section of the fasteningelement preferably comprises a material which is elastically extensibleat least in the transverse direction and is preferably configuredelastically extensible in this transverse direction. Elasticallyextensible is understood to mean a web material which can be stretchedby at least 1.2 times its original dimension when tension is applied andwhich, when tension is removed, contracts again at least far enough tonullify at least half of the stretched length. Of course, materials areknown and preferred for use as the first supporting layer whichdemonstrate much more pronounced elastic retraction characteristics.

To achieve these elastically extensible properties in the firstsupporting layer, elastic nonwoven materials can be used to advantage,or so-called “stretchbond” laminates with one or more nonwoven layers.

In a further aspect of the invention, the folded, Z-shaped configurationis secured to itself, which can be achieved specifically with spots ofglue or weld spots or by needling processes. It proves expedient toreleasably stabilize the folded, Z-shaped configuration with discretesecuring points, from 1 to 10 in number, preferably 3 to 5, where thesecuring points have a cross-sectional area of less than 1 mm².

In accordance with a further inventive concept of significance, thefolded, Z-shaped configuration is attached to itself when thelongitudinal sections are cut from the continuous web in the transversedirection, thereby creating a cut edge; fibers from the layers foldedover on one another are worked into or pulled into the layer disposedbelow, i.e. partially pulled out of one layer and introduced into thesecond layer. The effect achieved thereby could in the broadest sense becompared with needling fibrous nonwoven materials. When cutting thelongitudinal sections, specifically by performing a “crush cut,” fibersfrom one layer are pulled into the layer disposed thereunder in thedirection of the cut. This “crush cut” is preferably performed by acompliant knife, specifically a knife under pretension, or at leastmounted to yield a small amount. This knife is preferably disposed on arotating cylinder and, when performing the cut, can be positioned undersuitable pressure against a counter cylinder over which the web isguided and which forms an anvil for the knife.

In accordance with a further inventive concept, a pull tab for the userto grip with a finger is provided in the transverse direction outsidethe second zone and on the side of the second zone facing away from thefirst section. No closures are provided on this pull tab. It isadvantageously formed by the second supporting layer of the secondsection itself.

During manufacture and also during the handling of the fastening elementunder the invention, it proves advantageous if the first zone and thesecond zone are furnished on the same side of the continuous web. TheZ-shaped fold is preferably of such a nature that the first zone and thesecond zone are furnished on the same visible side of the foldedfastening element.

The present invention has furthermore as its subject a continuous webfor the manufacture of the previously described fastening elements ofthe invention, which are severed as longitudinal sections from thiscontinuous web in the transverse direction. This continuous web ischaracterized in that it is wound in the form of a roll with the folded,Z-shaped configuration.

The continuous web can be wound in such a way that the width of the coilis determined by the extension of the fastening elements in thetransverse direction, or the continuous web is cross-wound so that thewidth of the coil is substantially greater than the transverse extensionof the fastening elements.

The advantage of the fastening elements under the invention and thewinding of the continuous web in accordance with the invention is thatthe thickness of the second section of the fastening elements with themechanically configured closures in the second zone does not build up inan obtrusive fashion, but rather that it is possible to select thethickness of this second section in the area of the closures to be lessthan or essentially to correspond to the thickness of the fasteningelement in the area of the folded, Z-shaped configuration.

In accordance with a further inventive concept, it proves advantageousif, in the case of fastening elements with an adhesive application inthe first zone, the continuous web is wound in such a way that, duringthe winding, the glue in the first zone ends up on the second sectionand is easy to release when the web is unwound. It would certainly alsobe conceivable that this adhesive application could be furnished with arelease coating, but this would mean the use of an additional layer. Tothis extent it proves advantageous if the adhesive application and acorresponding strip-shaped area of the second section, preferablyunbroken in the longitudinal direction, or its surface respectively, isconfigured such that it is possible to release the glue in the firstzone easily without harming the adhesive coating itself.

If a first section and a second section of the fastening elementconnected to each other as discussed in the preceding, it must bepointed out that the Z-shaped fold in conjunction with the arrangementof the second zone carrying the closures in the transverse directionoutside the folded, Z-shaped configuration is regarded as independentlyinventive, even if the fastening element is configured in one piece inplace of the first and second sections.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Additional features, details and advantages of the invention will bebetter understood from the appended patent claims and the illustrativedrawings and subsequent description of a preferred embodiment of thefastening element under the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of one aspect of a fastening elementunder the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the fastening element from FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the folded, Z-shaped fasteningelement from FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 shows an isometric view of a continuous web wound on a roller;

FIG. 5 shows an isometric view of a continuous web wound on a roller,where a cross winding is being made;

FIG. 6 shows a photographic rendering of the cut edge of the foldedZ-shaped fastening element observed in the epimicroscope; and

FIG. 7 shows a schematic representation of a cutting device for severingindividual folded Z-shaped fastening elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a fastening element in accordance with the inventionidentified overall with the reference number 2. The fastening element 2comprises a first section 4 of a first supporting layer 6 and a secondsection 8 of a second supporting layer 10.

The fastening element 2 has been severed from a continuous web as alongitudinal section, where the continuous web extends in a firstlongitudinal direction 12. The second section 8 is disposed in atransverse direction 14 next to the first section 4, where in theinstance shown the first section 4 and the second section 8 overlap oneanother, so that an overlap zone 16 is formed to which the two sections4, 8 are permanently joined by means of an adhesive 18, weld points orin some other way.

On a first top side 20 of the first section 4 provision is made for afirst zone 22 having an adhesive coating 24 with which the fasteningelement 2 can be attached to a hygiene article.

In a second zone 26 of the second section 8, provision is made formechanically acting closures 28, preferably in the form of a hookcomponent of a hook-and-loop material, specifically adhered by means ofan adhesive 30. The second zone 26 is preferably furnished on the sametop side 20 of the fastening element 2 as the first zone 22.

Furthermore, first and second fold lines 32, 34 are indicated in FIG. 2and can be seen in FIG. 3 around which the fastening element 2 is foldedin a Z-shape in the longitudinal direction 12, so that the configuration35 shown in FIG. 3 is created. Advantageously the first fold line 32runs immediately along a longitudinal edge 36 of the adhesive coating 24in the first zone 22. The second fold line 34 advantageously runsimmediately along the material transition between the first and secondsection 4 or 8, i.e., along one edge 38 of the overlap zone 16.

As is apparent from FIG. 3, the second zone 26 of the second section 8is spaced at such distance in the transverse direction 14 from theoverlap zone 16 or from any other material transition area between firstsection 4 and second section 8 that it is located outside the folded,Z-shaped configuration 35 of the fastening element 2 in the transversedirection 14, which proves to be advantageous in several respects. Inthe instance shown, a longitudinal edge 40 of the second zone 26, andconsequently of the mechanically acting closures 28 facing the firstsection 4, extends almost to the first fold line 36 in the case of thefolded, Z-shaped configuration 3. It would also be conceivable that thesecond zone 26 is positioned with respect to the second section 8 insuch a way that the mechanically acting closures 28, or theirlongitudinal edge 40, are spaced a few millimeters from the folded,Z-shaped configuration 35 of the fastening element.

When the fastening element with its touch-sensitive adhesive application24 in the first zone 22 is applied to a hygiene article, the second zone26 with the mechanical closures 28 is, as already mentioned, disposedoutside the folded, Z-shaped configuration 35 and can thus serve tosecure the fastening element or the second section 8 to a textilesurface on a hygiene article. Securing the second section 8 in this wayis intended solely to secure the fastening element during manufactureand packaging until application of the hygiene article to a wearer, atwhich point at the latest this connection is released. A user reacheswith his fingers between the top side of the hygiene article and a freeend area 42 of the second section 8, which acts as a pull tab 44.

It should be mentioned that the first section 4 is configured to beelastically extensible in the transverse direction 14 and that thesecond section 8 is essentially non-extensible in the transversedirection 14.

An adhesive coating on the first zone 24 and mechanically actingclosures in the second zone 26 can be applied uninterruptedly andcontinuously in the longitudinal direction 12 on a correspondingcontinuous web of the first supporting layer 6 and the second supportinglayer 10. In matching fashion, the first and second support layers 6, 8are joined continuously by a continuous strip of adhesive 18 or inanother fashion in the longitudinal direction 12. Simultaneousproduction of two symmetrically, but offset in the longitudinaldirection by π/2, as known for example from EP 0 669121 A1, is alsoconceivable and advantageous.

Finally, FIGS. 4 and 5 each show a continuous web with fasteningelements in a coiled form not yet severed in the transverse direction 14as longitudinal sections, where FIG. 5 show a cross winding in which thewidth of the coil is substantially greater than the specific width ortransverse extent of the individual fastening elements 2. Greateroverall winding stability is achieved thereby and larger quantities offastening elements can be wound on a single roll and kept in readinessfor a production process.

To secure the fastening elements 2 in a folded, Z-shaped configuration35, it is conceivable to furnish discrete securing points, such as weldpoints, which join the Z-shaped layers of the fastening elements 2folded over on each other to each other. However, it has been shown thatthe folded Z-shaped configuration 35 can be secured in a way thatsatisfies requirements when the longitudinal sections forming thespecific fastening elements are severed from a continuous web; fibersare pulled from the layers disposed above one another in the Z-shapeinto the layer lying thereunder, so that a form of needling effect isachieved which secures the Z-shaped configuration 35 releasably toitself This is shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic representation of a cutting device for severinglongitudinal sections 90 from a continuous web 92, which also has thefolded, Z-shaped configuration 35 for creating the fastening elements.The cutting device comprises an anvil roller 94 across which thecontinuous web 92 is passed and a knife cylinder 96 having a knife 98which is under pre-tension and mounted in a floating manner or isintrinsically compliant, with a cutting edge 100. To perform the cut,the knife roller 96 is positioned opposite the anvil roller 94 in such amanner that the cutting edge 100 of the knife 98 touches the surface ofthe anvil roller 94 and can retract slightly. The continuous web 92 isthus contacted over a relatively short circumferential area by thecutting edge 100 of the knife 98. In contrast to merely shearing, when a“crush cut” is performed, fibers of the layers overlaid on each otherare hereby deflected out of one layer and pulled, crushed or worked intothe layer thereunder, so that in the severed longitudinal section 90 thelayers folded over on each other in a Z-shape are at least slightlyconnected to each other and unintentional unfolding thereby prevented.

1. A roll of fastening elements for releasably closing of hygienearticles when worn by the user and produced on a continuous web, whereinthe roll comprises: fastening elements each having a respectivelongitudinal section of the continuous web with a first lengthwisedirection and a second transverse direction; mechanically actingclosures; the fastening elements having a first section of a firstsupporting layer and a second section of a second supporting layer whichis disposed in a transverse direction next to the first section and isconnected thereto; the first section having a first zone configured fornon-detachably attaching the fastening elements to the hygiene articleand the second section having a second zone located in the transversedirection outside the first section in which the mechanically actingclosures are disposed; the second section further having a pull tab, thepull tab being graspable by a user to releasably close the hygienearticle; the first section being folded in a lengthwise direction in aZ-shape with fold lines running in the lengthwise direction, so thatpulling the pull tab in the second transverse direction causes thefolded, Z-shaped configuration to unfold and to extend in this secondtransverse direction; the second zone having the mechanically actingclosures lying outside the folded, Z-shaped configuration in thetransverse direction; wherein the pull tab is located adjacent to themechanically acting closures in the transverse direction opposite thefolded, Z-shaped configuration; the fastening elements severable fromthe continuous web in the transverse direction as longitudinal sectionsthereof; and the continuous web with the folded, Z-shaped configurationwound to form the roll.
 2. The roll in accordance with claim 1, wherein;the first and second sections of the fastening element are overlapped inthe transverse direction and are joined in an overlap zone.
 3. The rollin accordance with claim 1, wherein a fold line running in thelongitudinal direction runs at least in sections along a materialtransition between the first section and the second section.
 4. The rollin accordance with claim 1, wherein the fold line runs immediately alongone longitudinal edge of the second section.
 5. The roll in accordancewith claim 1, wherein a fold line running in the longitudinal directionruns immediately along one longitudinal edge of the first zone.
 6. Theroll in accordance with claim 1, wherein the second supporting layercomprises an essentially inelastic material and is configuredessentially not extensible in the transverse direction.
 7. The roll inaccordance with claim 1, wherein the first supporting layer comprises amaterial elastically extensible in at least the transverse direction andis configured elastically extensible in this transverse direction. 8.The roll in accordance with claim 1, wherein the folded, Z-shapedconfiguration is secured to itself.
 9. The roll in accordance with claim1, wherein the folded, Z-shaped configuration is secured to itself by aplurality of discrete adhesion points, each with a cross-sectional areaof less than 1 mm².
 10. The roll in accordance with claim 1, wherein theextension of the specifically adherently configured first zone of thefirst section in the transverse direction corresponds essentially to thewidth of the folded, Z-shaped configuration.
 11. The roll in accordancewith claim 1, wherein the Z-shaped fold is such that the first zone andthe second zone are furnished on the same visible side of the foldedfastening element.
 12. The roll in accordance with claim 1, wherein athickness of the folded, Z-shaped configuration is greater than athickness of the second section in the area of the second zone havingthe mechanically acting closures.
 13. The roll in accordance with claim1, wherein the continuous web is wound in such a way that a width of theroll is determined by the extension of the fastening elements in thetransverse direction.
 14. The roll in accordance with claim 1, whereinthe continuous web is cross-wound so that a width of the roll isconsiderably greater than the extension of the fastening elements in thetransverse direction.
 15. The roll in accordance with claim 1, whereinat least the first zone of the first section is configured for anadhesive application and the first section is folded such that in theroll the adhesive application disposed in the first zone lies on a backside of the second section and can easily be detached therefrom when theweb is unwound.